Auburn finished second in the SEC last season, going 49-12 overall and 17-7 in SEC play. The Tigers were the No. 7 seed in the NCAA Tournament, ending the season against eventual national champion Oklahoma in the Super Regional round.

The Tigers were picked to finish second in 2017, third in 2016 and seventh in 2015.

Auburn, which returns All-American ace Kaylee Carlson and leading home run hitter Kendall Veach as well as pitcher Makayla Martin and starters Alyssa Rivera, Courtney Shea and Victoria Draper, opens the 2018 season against Marshall on Feb. 8 at 6 p.m. CT at Jane B. Moore Field.

James Crepea is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @JamesCrepea.